Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his position regarding the lifting of the arms embargo with China; when this matter was last discussed with his EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26900/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's position on the lifting of the embargo on arms sales to China is clear and has not changed. We support the lifting of the embargo but we do not wish to see any increase in the quantity or quality of arms exports to China. This position was set out by the Taoiseach during his visit to Beijing in January 2005, when he also explained the importance to Ireland and the EU of continued progress in the promotion and protection of human rights in China.

The European Council meeting on 16-17 June 2005 was the most recent occasion that the arms embargo was discussed with EU counterparts. The Council recalled the conclusions of its December 2004 meeting, welcomed the progress made to date on the revision of the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports and the so-called "Toolbox" and invited the Council to continue its work on that basis.

At its December 2004 meeting, the European Council had reaffirmed its political will to continue to work towards lifting the arms embargo while underlining that the result of any decision should not be an increase in arms exports from EU member states to China. The Council also recalled the importance of the EU code of conduct on arms exports, which has been in operation since 1998 and contains criteria for assessing such exports, including those relating to human rights, stability and security in the relevant region and the national security of friendly countries. The Council stressed the importance of the early adoption of a revised code of conduct, on which work is continuing and which will reinforce existing EU controls, and of a new instrument on arms exports known as the "Toolbox". This instrument is being developed by the EU and comprises a set of measures which may be applied to a country when an arms embargo against it has been lifted. Essentially, it will provide for a greater level of information sharing and enhanced transparency within the EU regarding arms exports to countries previously subject to an arms embargo. Discussions on the "Toolbox" continue at official level and are progressing well.

As the EU works towards lifting the arms embargo, it has also engaged in a dialogue on the issue at senior official level with key partners, including the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Australia. The EU approach was conveyed to Chinese Foreign Minister Li when he met the Troika of EU Foreign Ministers at the EU-China ministerial meeting held in Beijing from 11-12 May 2005. The lifting of the arms embargo was also among the issues discussed during the eighth EU-China Summit that took place in Beijing on 5 September.

The Government continues to examine this issue with our EU partners, in the context of our overall relationship with China, our ongoing commitment to human rights and the broader regional and international context. EU Ministers will resume consideration of a decision on lifting the embargo once technical work on revising the code of conduct has been completed. A decision to lift the embargo will require unanimous approval among member states.